A large-scale population study which included a pTau217 blood test has demonstrated the feasibility of deploying blood tests at scale in population-level research, supporting earlier detection and treatment eligibility assessment.
The Simoa ALZpath pTau217 assay, run on the Quanterix Simoa platform and powered by ALZpath's proprietary pTau217 antibody, featured in the study which was recently published in Nature. Using blood-based biomarker analysis, the study found that more than one in ten adults over age 70 may be eligible for treatments to slow cognitive decline.
The Nature study, co-authored by Dr Nicholas Ashton of Banner Sun Health Research Institute and conducted by University of Gothenburg (Sweden), King's College London (UK), and Stavanger University Hospital (Norway), used a simple, non-invasive blood test to detect Alzheimer's disease neuropathological changes (ADNC) - a key casual factor in the development of cognitive decline.
"We are proud to support this important research conducted by teams at Banner Sun Heath Research Institute, University of Gothenburg, Kings College London, and Stavanger University," said Mike Banville, CEO of ALZpath. "As more diagnostics companies integrate the ALZpath pTau217 antibody into their blood-testing platforms, the opportunity for earlier, more globally accessible detection continues to grow. Broad adoption of blood tests will help clinicians intervene at the earliest possible stages of disease."
The study analysed more than 11,000 blood samples from over 9,000 participants in Norway and showed that the prevalence of ADNC increases with age; from just under 8% among individuals aged 65–69 to approximately 65% in those over 90. Among participants over age 70, ADNC was detected in 60% of individuals with dementia, in nearly one-third of those with mild cognitive impairment, and in over 20% of the cognitively unimpaired.
ALZpath is a leading developer of innovative diagnostic tools and solutions for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Its proprietary pTau217 antibody, integral to the most advanced and widely available blood-based tests, is transforming Alzheimer's disease research, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. Through licensing agreements with industry leaders – including Beckman Coulter, Roche, Siemens Healthineers, Bio-techne, Alamar Biosciences, and Quanterix, as well as collaborations with world-class laboratories such as Neurocode, ALZpath is expanding access to early detection worldwide. The company's innovations have earned multiple honors, including Time Best Invention (2024), Fast Company Most Innovative Company (2025), BioTech Breakthrough's "Diagnostic Innovation of the Year" (2025), and recognition as an Edison Award finalist (2025).
- Aarsland D, Sunde AL, Tovar-Rios DA, et al. Prevalence of Alzheimer's disease pathology in the community. Nature. Published online December 17, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09841-y